Michigan leaders on Defense of Marriage Act being ruled unconstitutional

“The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states, not the federal government, retain the constitutional authority to define marriage. Michigan’s Constitution stands and the will of the people to define marriage as between one man and one woman endures in the Great Lakes State.”

Sen. Carl Levin

“Today’s Supreme Court rulings are victories for equality and for simple human dignity. I favored repeal of DOMA because it falls short of its ideal of equality under the law. The Supreme Court’s recognition of that truth is in keeping with our best traditions and will give millions of Americans the legal protections to which they are fully entitled under our Constitution. I’m hopeful that our nation’s centuries-long march toward equality will continue to move forward.”

Rep. Gary Peters

“Today marks an important moment for families across Michigan and our country as we take another step closer toward living up to the ideals our nation was founded on - equality, freedom, and justice. No American should be denied the chance to legally marry and raise a family with the one they love and with all the benefits that entails. I was proud to join my colleagues in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of striking down DOMA as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court's decision today ends an era of discrimination, and I will continue to fight for equal rights so that we can say with confidence that America is a place where anyone can have their chance to succeed.”

Mark Schauer

“The U.S. Constitution promises all citizens equal protection under the law, and today’s ruling reinforces this basic American principle. No one should face discrimination based on who they love. Gov. Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette must now take steps to recognize same-sex marriages from other states here in Michigan. As governor, I will work to make Michigan a more welcoming place to same-sex couples by protecting LGBT citizens under the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, and pushing to change Michigan’s constitution.”

Progress Michigan

"Today is a long-overdue victory for LGBT families who will no longer face federally-enforced discrimination because of who they love," said Jessica Tramontana with Progress Michigan. "Now it’s time for Lansing politicians like Bill Schuette to get on board, and stop wasting our tax dollars defending unconstitutional, hateful legislation. No American citizen should have to wait for equality, and history will harshly judge those who treat government as a tool they can wield to enforce their personal bigotry."

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer

“Today’s ruling is a proud step forward for our nation and affirms the belief that love, not politics, should be the only factor that determines whether any two Americans choose to get married. I was proud to sponsor legislation to recognize same-sex marriages here in Michigan and now, with today’s ruling from the Supreme Court, it’s clear that it’s time to move forward on that process to ensure that same-sex couples have the same rights, opportunities and protections as everyone else in our state.”

"Michigan's Marriage Protection Amendment remains in place, and marriage in Michigan remains only between one man and one woman, at least until the next lawyer in a black robe decides he has the power to overturn the vote of millions of Michigan citizens, including the two-thirds of black voters and two-thirds of union households who voted in favor of that amendment." — Gary Glenn, president of American Family Association of Michigan.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee

"In striking down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and tossing out Proposition 8 in California, the Supreme Court today affirmed that all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be treated fairly and recognized under the law."

Kary Moss, ACLU of Michigan executive director

"The ACLU has been working for decades to secure the freedom to marry across the country. Today, we renew our commitment to this effort. We will work tirelessly to ensure that same-sex couples can legally marry in any state."

Michigan Catholic Conference

"We will continue to promote the truth that marriage is and can only be the union of one man and one woman, and that children have the right to both a mother and father."

UAW

"This was a major setback for America. The UAW has had a long and storied history of working on civil rights issues, and we are extremely disappointed that a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"This is the same court that has continued their assault on democracy with the detrimental decision of Citizens United; this same court is trying to undo affirmative action and other civil rights protections. The ruling has ended a much-needed law that has been central to the United States' commitment to addressing and trying to end racial discrimination in voting, especially in the deep South.

"The court declared that the so-called 'coverage formula" used to determine which states should be required to obtain preclearance for changes in voting laws was unconstitutional, but that Congress retains the authority to update the coverage formula.

"Last Saturday on June 22, we commemorated the historic Detroit freedom march where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech 50 years ago. We are not about to let Dr. King's dream become a nightmare.

"Fortunately, this fight is not yet over, and we will continue to fight for the civil and human rights of all Americans. We must call on Congress to come together with bipartisan legislation to respond to this decision."

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